While many of the medications you used to reach for before you became pregnant are off-limits now, there are still some meds that are safe to take to relieve symptoms of the flu during pregnancy:
- Antivirals. Tamiflu and other antivirals are safe (and important to take) if prescribed by a practitioner who has...
- Acetaminophen. If you're running a fever or suffering from...
What can pregnant women take for flu?
Sep 02, 2021 · A Flu Vaccine is the Best Protection Against Flu Getting an influenza (flu) vaccine is the first and most important step in protecting against flu. Pregnant people should get a flu shot and not the nasal spray flu vaccine. Flu shots given during pregnancy help protect both the pregnant parent and the baby from flu.
How to treat your cold and flu while pregnant?
Treatment of Influenza During Pregnancy The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends women in any trimester of their pregnancy who have a …
When to get Tdap when pregnant?
For treatment of pregnant people or people who are up to 2 weeks postpartum with suspected or confirmed influenza, oral oseltamivir is preferred because it has the most studies available to suggest that it is safe and beneficial. The duration of antiviral treatment with oseltamivir is 5 days.
Which flu shot in pregnancy?
Pregnant women with suspected or confirmed influenza infection should receive antiviral treatment with oseltamivir and acetaminophen for treatment of fever. Zanamivir and peramivir are alternative approved influenza antiviral options for treatment. Pregnancy is not a contraindication to these antivirals 7. Based on previous influenza seasons, oseltamivir is the …
How is influenza treated during pregnancy?
Does influenza A affect pregnancy?
Is Tamiflu safe in pregnancy?
How long does influenza A last?
What are the symptoms of influenza?
Typical manifestations of influenza include fever, cough, rhinorrhea, sore throat, headache, shortness of breath, and myalgia. Some patients with influenza have vomiting, diarrhea, or conjunctivitis, ...
Can you take oseltamivir while pregnant?
Treatment with higher doses of oseltamivir may be considered for pregnant women in specific instances, although there are no safety data on higher dosing of oseltamivir in this population. At this time, nearly all circulating influenza viruses are susceptible to oseltamivir, zanamivir, and peramivir.
How long does oseltamivir last?
The duration of antiviral treatment with oseltamivir is 5 days.
What is the most effective way to prevent influenza?
Influenza vaccination, which is an essential element of prenatal and postpartum care, is the most effective and safe way to prevent influenza infection and reduce the related maternal morbidity and mortality 3 4 5.
Can pregnant women get the flu?
Pregnant women are disproportionately affected by influenza compared with the general population. It is critical for obstetrician–gynecologists and other obstetric care providers to be able to identify influenza in pregnant women and to understand the treatment protocol.
Is pregnancy a high risk condition?
Pregnant and postpartum women are at high risk of serious complications of seasonal and pandemic influenza (flu) infection. Pregnancy itself is a high-risk condition, making the potential adverse effects of influenza particularly serious in pregnant women .
What are the complications of the flu?
Complications of flu include preterm delivery, pneumonia, hospital or intensive care unit admission, and maternal and fetal death 1 2.
What is considered a high risk pregnancy?
Pregnant women who cannot maintain oral fluid intake, show signs of dehydration, are experiencing difficulty breathing or pain in the chest, or exhibit any signs of obstetric complications are considered moderate or high risk and should be referred immediately to an emergency department or equivalent setting.
How long does oseltamivir last?
Based on previous influenza seasons, oseltamivir is the preferred treatment for pregnant women (75 mg orally twice daily for 5 days) assuming there is sufficient supply and the prevalence of resistant circulating viruses is low.
What to do if you suspect you have the flu?
If you suspect that you do have the flu, call your doctor right away to get a firm diagnosis and the treatment you need (which may involve pregnancy-safe antiviral prescription medications for the flu) as soon as possible.
Can you take nasal spray while pregnant?
Most steroid-containing nasal sprays are fine to use during pregnancy, but check with your doctor about brands and dosing. Plain saline drops and sprays are always safe to take when you're expecting and can help clear and moisturize a stuffy nose. Some antihistamines.
Is mucinex safe during pregnancy?
Just talk to your doctor about the proper dosing. Cough remedies. Expectorants (like Mucinex) as well as cough suppressants (such as Robitussin or Vicks44) as well as most cough drops are considered safe during pregnancy, but ask your practitioner about whether they're okay for you and about dosing. Some nasal sprays.
What temperature is the flu?
Influenza (aka the flu) is more severe and comes on more suddenly than a cold. Symptoms include: Fever (usually 101 degrees Fahrenheit to 104 degrees F or higher; call your doctor if it climbs above 101 degrees F. Intense muscle aches.
How to get rid of a sore throat from fever?
Keeping in close contact with your practitioner. Resting a lot. Drinking plenty of fluids to soothe your sore throat and replace what’s lost by fever. Taking the antiviral medication your doctor may prescribe according to his or her instructions.
Can you take echinacea while pregnant?
Many will tell you to avoid these sprays completely while you're expecting, while others will advise only limited use (one or two days at a time) after the first trimester. Homeopathic remedies. Never take Echinacea or other supplements (like zinc and vitamin C) without medical approval.
How do you know if you have a fever?
Symptoms include: Fever (usually 101 degrees Fahrenheit to 104 degrees F or higher; call your doctor if it climbs above 101 degrees F. Intense muscle aches. Chills. A sore throat that generally worsens by the second or third day. Headache. General weakness and fatigue. Occasional sneezing. Cough that can become severe.
Can pregnant women take antiviral medication?
Antiviral drugs can treat flu illness and are recommended for pregnant women who are sick with flu . When used for treatment, antiviral drugs can lessen symptoms and shorten the time your patients are sick. They also can prevent serious flu complications, like pneumonia.
Can antiviral drugs be used for pneumonia?
When used for treatment, antiviral drugs can lessen symptoms and shorten the time your patients are sick. They also can prevent serious flu complications, like pneumonia. During the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, prompt antiviral treatment of hospitalized pregnant women was shown to prevent respiratory failure and death.
What are antiviral drugs?
Antiviral drugs can treat flu illness and are recommended for pregnant women who are sick with flu.#N#When used for treatment, antiviral drugs can lessen symptoms and shorten the time your patients are sick. They also can prevent serious flu complications, like pneumonia.#N#During the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, prompt antiviral treatment of hospitalized pregnant women was shown to prevent respiratory failure and death.#N#Studies show that flu antiviral drugs work best for treatment when they are started within 2 days of getting sick. However, starting them later can still be beneficial, especially for patients who are at high risk for flu complications such as pregnant women. 1 When used for treatment, antiviral drugs can lessen symptoms and shorten the time your patients are sick. They also can prevent serious flu complications, like pneumonia. 2 During the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, prompt antiviral treatment of hospitalized pregnant women was shown to prevent respiratory failure and death. 3 Studies show that flu antiviral drugs work best for treatment when they are started within 2 days of getting sick. However, starting them later can still be beneficial, especially for patients who are at high risk for flu complications such as pregnant women.
Can pregnant women get the flu?
Some pregnant women who get the flu may also develop bronchitis, which may turn into pneumonia. However, there are more serious complications associated with the flu during pregnancy although these are rare: septic shock. meningitis. encephalitis, which is an inflammation of the brain.
Can pregnant women take acetaminophen?
Pregnant women should avoid taking medicines such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen and should talk to their healthcare provider before taking any over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription medications. However, if it is absolutely necessary, pregnant women may take acetaminophen. Trusted Source.
What are the complications of pregnancy?
However, there are more serious complications associated with the flu during pregnancy although these are rare: 1 septic shock 2 meningitis 3 encephalitis, which is an inflammation of the brain
How do you know if you have the flu?
The flu has several identified symptoms that are the same for nearly everyone, which include: 1 sore throat 2 cough 3 runny nose 4 a headache 5 fever at or above 100°F 6 vomiting 7 diarrhea 8 body aches 9 fatigue
Is the flu dangerous?
Influenza (flu) can be dangerous. Although everyone is at risk of contracting the flu, those who are pregnant or have just given birth are much more susceptible to the more severe effects of the illness. Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant during flu season should get their flu shot. The flu shot may prevent a pregnant women ...
Why do pregnant women have a runny nose?
A runny nose, sore throat, and cough are common symptoms of the flu. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Trusted Source. , pregnant women are more likely to experience severe symptoms and complications from the flu because their lungs, heart, and immune system change during pregnancy.
How long does it take for ibuprofen to work?
They work best when a person takes them within 48 hours. Trusted Source. after symptoms appear. Pregnant women should avoid taking medicines such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen and should talk to their healthcare provider before taking any over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription medications.
Can chemoprophylaxis prevent influenza?
Although chemoprophylaxis with NA inhibitors can prevent influenza infection, it is recommended only for specific populations 18 ( Table 4). Vaccination is the preferred method for prevention, and routine chemoprophylaxis within the community is not recommended. 18 Clinicians can opt to closely monitor symptoms in exposed patients; early initiation of treatment is an alternative strategy. 18, 28 Indications to consider chemoprophylaxis are summarized in Table 5. 18, 28 However, most of these indications are based on poor-quality evidence and expert opinion. In a long-term care facility, an influenza outbreak is defined as two laboratory-confirmed cases within 72 hours in residents on the same unit. 40 In the setting of outbreak in a nursing care facility or hospital, chemoprophylaxis is recommended for all asymptomatic patients and can be considered for certain staff (especially unvaccinated or recently vaccinated people). 18
Is it necessary to test for influenza in an outpatient?
In outpatient and emergency department settings, testing for influenza virus is not necessary to start antiviral treatment in a patient with suspected influenza infection, especially during seasons when influenza A and B viruses are circulating in the local community. 19, 28 Rather, the diagnosis is made clinically based on presenting signs and symptoms, or if the patient has a suspected influenza-associated complication, such as exacerbation of a chronic disease, concomitant pneumonia, or rhabdomyolysis. 19, 28
What is influenza?
Influenza is an acute viral respiratory infection that causes significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Three types of influenza cause disease in humans. Influenza A is the type most responsible for causing pandemics because of its high susceptibility to antigenic variation. Influenza is highly contagious, ...
Is influenza contagious?
Influenza is highly contagious, and the hallmark of infection is abrupt onset of fever, cough, chills or sweats, myalgias, and malaise. For most patients in the outpatient setting, the diagnosis is made clinically, and laboratory confirmation is not necessary.
How long does it take for antiviral therapy to work?
The benefit of treatment is greatest when antiviral therapy is started within 24 hours of symptom onset. These drugs decrease the duration of illness by about 24 hours in otherwise healthy patients and may decrease the risk of serious complications. No anti-influenza drug has been proven superior.
When did the avian flu start?
First identified solely in wild geese populations in China in 1997, the virus quickly spread to domestic poultry and ultimately to human populations. There are now avian influenza cases reported worldwide, although poultry-to-human and human-to-human transmission remains relatively low.
How much is Baloxavir?
NA ($160) Adults and children 12 years and older: 88 to 174 lb (40 to 79 kg): single dose of 40 mg ≥ 175 lb (80 kg): single dose of 80 mg. Treatment of uncomplicated acute influenza in patients 12 years and older who have been symptomatic for no more than 48 hours.
What is the best medicine for the flu?
Prescription medications called “antiviral drugs” can be used to treat flu illness. Stay home and avoid contact with other people except to get medical care. Find tips to care for others who are sick with flu illness. If you get sick with flu, antiviral drugs may be a treatment option.
What to do if you get sick with the flu?
If you get sick with flu, antiviral drugs may be a treatment option . Check with your doctor promptly if you are at high risk of serious flu complications and you get flu symptoms . People at high risk of flu complications include young children, adults 65 years of age and older, pregnant women, and people with certain medical conditions such as ...
